A HUDDERSFIELD firm has become the first coach operator in West Yorkshire to join a scheme to improve safety for youngsters travelling by bus to and from school.

E Stott & Sons, based at Milnsbridge, is backing BUSK – Belt Up Our School Kids – which recognises safe operators.

Under the initiative, schools, universities and colleges can contact an operator and ask if the firm is a member of the Simply Safe scheme – and know if the company takes children’s safety seriously.

The Simply Safe scheme includes Benchmark, a points system which awards operators with a star for every five points they gain in demonstrating what they do to promote safety.

Operators can achieve from three to six stars, which can be displayed on their coaches. Stotts has gained all six.

Director Carl Stott (pictured) said: “As members of the Confederation of Passenger Transport and CoachMarque, we felt that Simply Safe was something that we had to be part of for our company to continue to stand out from the competition.

“Benchmark is long overdue. You get star ratings in other sectors like restaurants and hotels so why not coaches? This can only be a good thing for our industry.”

Stotts website – www.stottscoaches.co.uk – is being updated with a link to BUSK website www.busk-uk.com where people can read more about these schemes.